Windpocalypse 2006

Holy crap. This has been quite the fall/winter weatherwise in Seattle, has it not? One of the worse windstorms ever, over a million people without power, flash flooding, some people losing their homes, and a few their lives.

And somehow, with all of that going on, the Spencers came out unscathed. Completely. We lost power for an hour the night of the storm and had to deal with the kids' disappointment of missing their last day of school before winter break, but that's it. Not even any branches to pick up. I'm almost afraid to post about it because I don't want the eye of Sauron to turn on us when we're hit by the next act of nature.

We're very thankful, and hope that all of our friends who are dealing with anything from minor inconveniences to all-out life disruptions are able to get back to some semblence of normal soon.

Heaven On A Stem

Oh my oh my. It's that time of year and I am sitting here savoring the first Rainier cherries of the season. We discovered these at Pike Place Market not long after moving to Seattle; like any good pusher of addictive substances, the market vendors used the "first one's free!" tactic which resulted in us walking out with a couple pounds and a lifelong yen.

I can't fully express how achingly we look forward to their brief appearance every year (they're only available for about two months - late May thru middish July). Blackberries are as brief and delectable a treat, but in August they're readily available all over town free for the picking (ah, the Pacific Northwest - even our weeds bear fruit!) so they don't have quite the same cachet as these delicate and beautiful blobs of sweetness.

What a fabulous weekend this is turning out to be.

Seattle Springiness

Originally uploaded by monagrrl.

What lovlier a sight could I have chosen for my first blog photo? This was taken yesterday, late afternoon, of the magnolia tree in front of our house. The blossoms are just starting to open.

Come visit, my dear friends in colder climes! This week the air here is warm and the sweet smell of blooming flowers is inescapable. We have no snow, no slush, no cold feet. Birds twitter happily. Daylight reigns from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kids are playing baseball. Cafes have opened their windows. And see that guest room at the top of the stairs? It has your name on it.

If you'd like to see more photos of spring flowers and other schtuff, click your heels three times... erm... I mean, click on the photo. It'll take you to Flickr. But before you do, I feel the need to mention that it's a very addictive site. You have been warned.